Finland Visa for Indians - Definitive Guide

To enter the country of Finland, most people from around the world require a permit. Finland, being a part of the Schengen area, permits visa-free entry for people who are citizens of other Schengen nations, as well as a few other visa-exempt nations. The Finland entry permits are mainly of two types, the short term Finland Schengen visa, and the long term visas.

You must apply for Finland visa online. However, the submission is performed offline. The Embassy of Finland has outsourced all of its visa services to Finland Visa Application Centers (VAC). However, the embassy does accept a limited number of applications per week. Before starting your application, you must ensure that you are eligible for the particular type of entry permit you are applying for. If you are, you may proceed as per the following - 

1. Acquire all the documents you require for the application. 
2. Visit the website of the VAC and login to the application portal.
3. Fill in the Finnish visa application form with all the details. Take a print out of the confirmation you receive via mail. 
4. Proceed to book your visa appointment at any of the VACs, or if possible, at the embassy. You can do this by calling or emailing the respective centre, or by using the online portal at the VAC website.
5. Attend the appointment with your documents, and application form. You will have to pay the fees and submit your biometrics here.

Please note that if you have already submitted your biometrics in the past 5 years, you are not required to submit them again. In these cases, you may not have to submit the application in person. 

Also, ensure that you fill the correct details and submit all the genuine documents. Submitting wrong information, not complying with the correct procedure, or submitting fake documents can lead to visa rejection. A history of a refused permit is a big deal and can affect your future applications.

Based on the duration of stay, the Finnish visas can be classified as follows - 

• Short term - Also known as the Finland Schengen visa, this type is issued for stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. They are issued as single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry. Based on the purpose of the visit, there are the following Finland Schengen visa types - 

1. 1. Finland Tourist Visa - These are issued for individuals travelling to the country to take part in tourist activities such as sightseeing, adventure activities, leisure activities, and so on. 
   2. Finland Business Visa - This permit is issued to people visiting Finland for the purpose of engaging in business activities. 
   3. Finland Visitor Visa - For people whose motives are to visit their family members or friends living in Finland, a visitor permit is a way to go. 

• Long term - For long term duration, Finland does not issue visas. Instead, they issue a residence permit. These include study, work, family reunion, etc. 

Each type of the Finnish permit has a different set of document requirements. However, the general documents required for Finland visa are as follows - 

•  A passport valid for at least 6 months from the expected date of travel
• Old passports, if any 
• 2 passport size photographs
•  Travel itinerary 
• Confirmed round trip flight tickets 
• Proof of accommodation 
• Travel medical insurance covering 30000 Euros  
• Proof of occupation
• Proof of sufficient funds such as bank statements, ITR, etc.

The photo specifications for Finland Visa are as follows -

• Finland visa photo requirements size - 35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription are permitted
• Headgears are allowed only for religious reasons
• Facial hair is permitted

The time taken for processing of the Finnish visa depends on several factors such as the type of the visa, the number of entries, the duration, volume of application, as well as several others. Normally, it is issued within 15 working days. As a result, it is suggested that you apply for it well in advance.

The Finland visa fees for Indian citizens depends on several aspects such as the number of entries, the type of the permit, the duration of stay, biometric charges, and so on. Due to the fact that the visa fees for Finland from India depend on the foreign exchange rates, as well as the additional service charges of the VAC, it is suggested that you check the exact amount before starting the application.

Once you have submitted your application, you can track Finland visa status online. You can do this by visiting the website of the VAC and using their Finland visa status check online portal. You will have to enter your application number and name. Alternately, you may contact your travel agency to track them for you.

To make the process faster and to reduce congestion, the embassy of Finland has outsourced the visa applications to its VACs. To apply, you must do it using the online form. However, the application must be submitted directly at a VAC. The VACs are stationed all across India in the major cities. The Embassy of Finland in New Delhi does accept applications on a limited basis every week, and as a result, most often you will not receive an appointment here.